Financial Crime World

Albania’s EU-Backed Crackdown on Financial Crimes: A Milestone Operation at Morinë Border Crossing

In a bid to uphold the law and combat organized crime, Albania has made considerable strides under the European Union (EU) accession process. One such initiative is the EU4FOCAL project, a collaborative effort to enhance the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking.

EU4FOCAL Project: Boosting Capacities to Combat Organized Crime

The EU4FOCAL project, supported by Spanish institutions, is instrumental in fortifying the capacities of key Albanian law enforcement players. This includes the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Albanian Police. Focused on criminal and financial investigations, the project is making a significant impact on Albania’s border security.

Tackling Financial Crimes and Drug Trafficking

Last week marked a significant milestone in the project with an intensive joint operation at Morinë border crossing point between Albania and Kosovo*.

  • Coordinated Efforts: The Spanish expert from the National Police oversaw the operation, collaborating with the Albanian State Police and Customs Anti-Trafficking Unit, the Albanian National Police and Customs of Kosovo*, and FRONTEX.
  • Intelligence-Driven Approach: Meticulous intelligence gathering and risk analysis were carried out jointly by the Albanian and Montenegrin national police and customs authorities.

Success at Morinè: Arrests and Seizures

The targeted approach bore fruit with two arrests and a significant seizure.

  1. First Arrest: An individual traveling in a high-end vehicle with undeclared cash was identified and detained.
  2. Second Arrest: Another individual, also in a high-end vehicle, was apprehended with cocaine hidden in a clandestine compartment.

Specialized Training: Detecting Narcotics and Currency

The operation marked the fifth successful phase of the EU4FOCAL project, with plans to conduct similar collaborative efforts at other Albanian border crossing points.

  • Trained Dog Handlers: Teams of trained dog handlers, who have received specialized training as part of the EU4FOCAL project, played a crucial role in the detection of both narcotics and currency.

EU’s Commitment:Cleaner, More SecureFuture

The EU’s unwavering dedication to supporting Albania’s quest for a cleaner, more secure future through this project is evident, as more joint operations continue to yield noteworthy results.